Initial wrist watch case



B. LAZRUS April 8, 1941.

sT wATCH'cAsE Filed May 18, 1939 INITIAL WRI DQ VENTO?? Benjamin az/us ATTORNEY f event -.0f need "from beneath ythe bezel.

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Patented Apr. 8, 1941 INITIALA WRIST WATCH CASE VVBenjamin Lasrus, Lawrence, Long Island, N. Y., assignor to Benrus Watch Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplcationMa-y 18, 1939, Serial No. 274,369

18 Claims.

This invention relates to Ywatch cases and more particularly to wrist Watch cases arranged to receive initials.

Vest gpocket watches have been engraved on .the :beek or reversesidathough -Scme people -objected to such engraving as making it impossible to transfer ordispose ofthe watch in the Wrist watches, `for the l most part,have not been engraved because the back is not exposed. "Ijhe present invention concernsA watch casesprovidedwith means en the front` yface outside the vcrystal for receiving cut-out initials, numerals or other indicia. Such a watch is 4personalized with bold metal characters of seeming permane-ncayet which in fact may ben ladded'from,av-s upply-of characters by the watch dealer at the time the watch is sold, or resold.

One object of my invention is to l provide a wrist Watch casewith a comparatively smooth or continuous-bezel, said bezel having a main` opening for thewatch crystal, and one or more auxiliary openings for initials which are inserted By this construction the watch is given a Well finished and attractive The initials Aare cut or stamped out of metal and ,areexposed through the initial opening. A further object of the-present invention is to prevent the possibilityof dust passing through the spaces between the initials into the watch movelinent, that is,` tov-keep. the watch case dustproof.

yTo thisv end,'I provide sealing plates which are applied beneath the initials Land are detachably .secured in place, said sealing plates functioning :toehold the initials in the initial opening, and to seal -up the opening against the admission of dust.

In accordance with further features and objects of. the present invention, the initials are out out of metal of substantial thickness, thus providing the initials with considerable depth,

an attractive, .-moderne and expensive appear- The initials may be-cut from a metal of contrasting color as, fcrexampie, by using silver or white gold initials in a yellow gold case. With thiscombination the sealing plate is lalso preff erably'made of yellow gold. The initials may be provided with shallow locating portions at their bottom," these portions being `received beneath vthe bezeloutside the initial opening to limit upward vmovement of the initials. The locating portions preferably project sidewardly to space the initials-apart, and to prevent sideward movement of the initials in the bezel.

,To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects which will hereinafter appear, my

invention consists in the watch case and initial elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and vdefined in the ciairns. The specification -is accompanied by a drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 isa plan view of a Awrist .watch case ernbodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 isa side eleva-tion of the same;

Fig. 3 is a perspectivev View of one of the letters used with the wristwatch case;

vFig. 4 is a partially sectioned view in perspective .of Ia fragment of the wrist watch case;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the bezel with one of the sealing` plates and Aan initial removed;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken in the planev of the line 6 5 of Fig. l, and drawn to enlarged scale; ,and

VFig. V'7 is a transverse Section vtaken in the plane of .the line 1 1 of Fig. 1.

Referring tothe drawing, the wristwatch case comprises an upper portion or bezel generally designated I2 and a lower portion generally designated lll. The lower portion is suitably shaped anddimensioned to receive a wrist watch movement in conventional fashion, the particular case here shown being provided with a dropped portion or well I5, as is more fully described in my Patent 2,059,453 granted February 2, 1937. The bottom half may itself be made of two parts, the lower part beinet upwardly anged at Il' (Fig, 7) to receive a frame-like upper part IS, best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the latter being brazed into the bottoni to form a permanent union therewith. The frame-like part i8 accurately receives and locates the movement. The bezel l2 fits telescopically over the part i8 until it meets the upwardly flanged edge I of the lower portion in iiush relation thereto. The parts may be locked together with a snap engagement, as is indica-ted at 22d in Fig. 6.

The bezel portion I2 is provided with a main opening 22 which receives `a crystal 2i. The metal ,at the inside of opening 22 is turned or fianged inwardly, as is indicated at 2G and 2S, these anges being so shaped as to form a seat for the edges of the crystal i4. The periphery of thebezel is flanged downwardly, thus providing the side Walls 33 and end walls 32.

Outside the crystal opening the bezel is provided with an initial opening 34. This opening is preferably elongated and is most simply made rectangular. For the sake of symmetry, I prefer to provide two such openings, as is shown in the drawing. 'Ihe openings are located between the flanges 26 and 32, and the surface metal of the bezel surrounding the openings 34 constitutes a frame which outlines the initials which are subsequently added. The bezel, as thus far described, is preferably made of a single piece of metal which is appropriately stamped and shaped in dies.

The bezel is provided at its ends with appropriate means for attaching a wrist strap. In the present case this comprises ears 33 which are brazed to the ends of the bezel and which are apertured, as indicated at D (Fig. 6) to detachably receive the bails connecting the ends of the wrist strap. It will be understood that the wrist strap may be of any desired type, Such as those made of leather, chain, cord and the like.

The jeweler selling this type of watch is provided with a supply of letters, numerals, or other indicia, such as may be wanted by the trade in that particular locality. For example, for graduation purposes initials may be used at one end and class numerals at the other. For fraternal purposes initials may be used at one end and Greek fraternity letters at the other, and so on. The construction of the individual letters will be clear from inspection of Fig. 3, the letters being cut or stamped out of comparatively thick metal, as is indicated at 42, and having flanges or locating means la preferably formed integrally with the initials. These parts extend above and below the initials in order to limit upward movement of the initials through the opening. The initials are dimensioned t just t between the frame parts E of the bezel, as is best shown in Figs. 4 and 6 of the drawing, while the parts 44 of the initials underlie the frame parts 46 and prevent upward movement of the initials through the opening. The parts 44 are preferably extended sidewardly, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3 in order to act as spacing means to hold the letters apart. 'I'his is clearly shown in Fig. 5, in which it will be seen that the parts 44 of the successive initials come into abutting relation and are so dimensioned that, in the present case, three initials exactly fill the length of the initial opening.

When only two initials are to be used, appropriate spacers are provided to be used at the ends in order to properly center the two initials.

The initials are held in place by sealing plates 5D. These are detachably held in position by suitable means here illustrated as tiny watch screws 52 (Figs. 5 and 6). These screws are received in threaded openings formed in small bezel. 'I'hey serve an additional function in sealing the case against the admission of dust to the r watch movement. For this purpose the side edges of the sealing plates are flanged upwardly.`

as is best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, and the sealing plate is dimensioned to fit very snugly and accurately between the downwardly turned flanges 26 and 32 of the bezel. The fit of the parts is preferably made such that the watch may be shipped and displayed without initials, the initial openings being fully sealed by the sealing plates. When the watch isI sold and the desired initials are specied, the dealer simply opens the watch case, removes the sealing plates, applies the initials, replaces the sealing plates, and again closes the case.`

The depth of the initials is preferably made substantial and it is appreciably greater than the thickness of the bezel at the frame parts 45. wIn this way the initials are allowed to project upwardly through the frame, as is clearly shown `in the drawing. Moreover, the depth of the initials is preferably greater than the thickness of the same, thus giving the initials a costly, attractive, modern appearance. The initials may, of course, be made of contrasting color as, for example, by using silver or white gold initials with a yellow gold bezel. l

It is believed that the construction and method of use, as well as the many advantages of my improved initial watch case, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. It will be understood that a single initial opening may be provided, instead of two, as here illustrated. It will also be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in a preferred form, many changes and modicationsmay be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.A In the claims the term wrist strap is intended to include a band or chain, etc. The term initial is intended to include numerals or other indicia, as well as letters.

I claim:

l. A watch case comprising a crystal Aholding section at its exposed top face, an opening through the top of the case outside the crystal holding section, separable and interchangeable initials inserted from beneath and exposed through said opening, and means detachably secured directly beneath said initials inside said case for holding the initials at said opening.

2. A wrist watch case comprising a crystal holding section at its exposed top face, means at the ends for attachment to a wrist strap, the case having'openings onopposite sides of the crystal holdingsection between said section and said end attaching means, separable and interchangeable initials inserted from beneath :and exposed through said openings, and sealing plates detachably secured directly beneath said initials in order to hold the initials and'to seal the case against the admission of dust through the initial openings.

3. A wrist watch case comprising a crystal holding section at its exposed top face, means at the ends for attachment to a wrist strap, the case having openings on opposite sides of the crystal holding section between said sectionand said end attaching means, separable and interchangeable initials linserted from beneath and exposed through said openings, said initials being thick so that the tops of the initials project upwardly through the Openings, said initials having locating means at the bottom which are disposed beneath the -top of the watch case and outside the openings in order to prevent upward movement of the initials and-to space the same apart, and sealing plates vdetachablyvrsecured beneath said initials in order to hold the initials and to seal the case against the admission of dust through the initial openings.

' 4.,.A wrist` watch oase comprisinga bottom half so shaped and dimensioned as .to receive a Ywrist kwatch movement, abezel.dimensionedl to ii't over said bottom half with a snap engagementcsaid bezel comprising a single piece of metal hanged "neath, the initials beingexposed through the initial opening, a removable sealing plate beneath the initials to vhold :the same tightly :and to seal f the bezel against the admission of dust into the `watch case, andl means for detachably securing said sealing .plate in position,

5. A wrist watch case comprising a bottom half so shaped and dimensioned as to receive a wrist watch movement, a bezel dimensioned to fit over said -bottom half, said bezel comprising a single piece of metal anged at its sides and provided with a crystal opening and elongated initial ;openings at each end of the crystal opening, means at the ends of said bezel for attachment of a wriststrap, the portion of the bezel immediately surrounding each initial opening acting as a frame for the initials, initials interchangeably disposable vin said frame from beneath, said initials having locating portions disposed beneath the frame to prevent upward movement of the initials and projecting sidewardly to space the initials apart and to prevent sideward movement of the initials in the frame, a removable sealing A plate beneath the initials to hold the same tightly and. to seal the bezel against the admission of dust into the watch case, and means for detachably securing said plate tightly in position.

6. A wrist watch case comprising a bottom half so shaped and dimensioned as to receive a wrist watch movement, a bezel dimensioned to lit telescopically over said bottom half, said bezel comprising a single piece of metal flanged at its sides and provided with a crystal opening :and rectangular initial openings at each end of the crystal opening, means secured at the ends of said bezel for attachment of a Wrist strap, the portion of the bezel immediately surrounding each initial opening acting as a frame for the initials, initials interchangeably disposable in said frame, said initials being of substantial depth, the initials being dimensioned to t through the frame opening and to project thereabove and having locating portions at the bottom of the initials which are disposed beneath the frame to limit upward movement of the initials and which project sidewardly to space :the initials apart and to prevent sideward movement of the initials in the frame, a removable sealing plate beneath the initials to hold the same tightly and to seal the bezel against the admission of dust into the watch case, and screws at the ends of said sealing plates for securing same tightly in position.

7. A wrist watch case comprising -a bottom half so shaped and dimensioned as to receive a wrist watch movement, a bezel dimensioned to t over said bottom. half, said bezel comprising a single piece of metal anged at its edges and provided with a crystal opening, and rect-angular initial openings at each end oi the crystal opening, the bezel being flanged downwardly at the ends of the crystal opening, the portion of the bezel immediately surrounding each initial opening acting as a frame for the initials, with the aforesaid bezel flanges being located at the outer edges of .said frame,initials. interchangeably disposable :insa-id vframe, :said initials' being. of substantial -depthandbeing.pdimensioned tto iit through the fframeopenings, said initialshaving locating rpor- .tions: at .-thetbottom whichare disposed beneath therame ltoclimit vupward movement of the -initials,.and a removable sealing plate beneath the initials and fittingclosely between said flanges to hold theinitials and to seal the bezel against the .admission of dust.

`8. Awrist watch case comprising a bottom half shaped and `dimensioned to receive a watch movement,` a top half iitting over the bottom half, means at the ends of the top half to receive a .wrist strap, said top Ahalf having an opening for receiving a crystal, .and having one or more additional openings outside the crystal for receiving initials, initials disposed in said one or more ,additional openings from beneath, said initials having letter portions exposed through the one or vmere additional openings, and further having locating portions received beneath the top half of the watch c-ase outside the one or more additional openings, said locating portions projecting at each side in order to properly space the letters relative to one another, and a removable sealing plate disposed beneath the letters to hold the same in position and to seal the interior of the watch case against the admission of dust through the spaces between the initials.

9. A wrist watch case comprising a crystal holding section at its exposed to-p face, means at theendsfor attachment to a wrist strap, the case having openings on opposite sides of the crystal holdingsection between said section and said end attaching means, separable and interchangeable initials inserted from beneath and exposed through said openings, said initials being thick so that Athe tops of the initials project upwardlyV through the openings, and means detachably secured beneath said initials in order t0 hold the initials in the initial openings.

l0. A wrist watch ycase comprising a crystal yholding section at its exposed top face, means at the ends for attachment to a wrist strap, the case having openings on opposite sides of the crystal holding section between said section and said end attaching means, separable and interchangeable initials inserted from beneath and exposed through said openings, said initials having locating means disposed beneath the top of the watch case and outside the openings in order to prevent upward movement of the initials, and means detachably secured beneath said initials in order to hold the initials in the initial openings.

ll. A wrist watch case comprising a crystal holding section at its exposed top face, means at the ends for attachment to a Wrist strap, the case having openings on opposite sides of the crystal holding section between said section and said end attaching means, separable and interchangeable initials inserted from beneath and exposed through said openings, said initials having locating means disposed beneath the top of the watch case to space the initials apart, and means detachably secured beneath said initials in order to Ihold the initials in the initial openings.

l2. A watch case comprising a crystal holding section at its exposed top face, the case also having an initial opening outside the crystal holding section, separable `and interchangeable initials inserted from beneath and exposed through said opening, said initials being thick so that the tops of the initials project upwardly through the opening, said initials having locating means at the bottom which lare disposed beneath the ,top of the watch case and outside the openings in order lto prevent upward movement of the initials and to space the same apart, and means detachably secured beneath said initials in order to hold the initials in the initial openings.

13. A watch case including a bezel provided with a crystal opening and an initial opening outside the crystal opening, the portion of the bezel immediately surrounding the initial opening acting as a frame for the initials, said.- bezel having a flange on its lower side surrounding'said frame, initials interchangeably disposable in said frame, said initials having locating portions disposed beneath the frame to limit upward movement of the initials, and a removable sealing plate disposed beneath the initials and fitting closely within they aforesaid frame flange to hold the initials and to seal the bezel against the admission of dust into the watch case.

14. A watch case including a bezel provided with a crystal opening and an elongated rectangular initial opening outside the crystal opening, the portion of thel bezel immediately surrounding the initial opening acting as a frame for the initials, said bezel having a ange on its lower side surrounding said frame, initials interchangeably disposable in said frame, said initials being of substantial depth and dimensioned to iit through the frame openings and to project thereabove, and having locating portions at their bottom which are disposed beneath the frame to limit upward movement of the initials and which project sidewardly to space the initials apart and to prevent sideward. movement of the initials in the frame, a removable sealing plate disposed beneath the initials and fitting closely within the aforesaid frame 'flange to hold the initials and to seal the'bezel against the admission of dust into the watch case, and yscrews for securing the sealing plate tightly in position.

15. A watch case having a crystal holding section at its exposed top face, an opening through the top of the face outside the crystal holding section, separable and interchangeable initials inserted from beneath and exposed through said opening, and means to seal the case against the admission of dust to the watch movement through the initial openings.

16. A watch case having a crystal holding section at its exposed top face, an opening through the top of the face outside the crystal holding section, separable and interchangeable initials inserted from. beneath and exposed through said openings, and a sealing plate detachably secured directly beneath said initials in order to hold the initials and to seal the case against the admission of dust through the initial openings.

17. A wrist watch case comprising a crystal holding section at its exposed top face, means at the ends for atta-chment to a wrist strap, the case having openings on opposite sides of the crystal holding section between said section and said end attaching means, separable and interchangeable initials inserted from beneath and exposed through said' openings, and means beneath said initials to hold the initials at the openings.

18. A wrist watch case comprising a crystal holding section at its exposed top face, means at the ends for attachment to a wrist strap, the `case having openings on opposite sides of the crystal holding section between said section and said end attaching means, separable and interchangeable initials inserted from beneath and exposed through said openings, and means to seal the case against the admission of dust to the watch movement through the initial openings.

BENJAMIN LAZRUS. 

